Gear as Delegate, and Helsel as mayor, both voted against the General Assembly’s transportation plan of 2007 that included regional transportation authorities. Both men seem frustrated that the HRBT is not currently on the list of immediate priorities for VDOT. Both men even agree that increasing taxes is not the way they want to fund a solution.

In our conversations Gear and Helsel both give favorable consideration to a proposal that would use revenue from future growth at the ports, and put a portion of that money toward transportation needs. Of course, the money would only be available once the growth is a reality, instead of just a projection.

In speaking with Helsel and Gear, I didn’t hear any key differences in their perspectives on transportation. Helsel said he thinks it’s time for someone knew and that someone is him. However, he’s not the only challenger trying to replace Gear in Richmond.

In nearly two weeks of trying to contact Democratic candidate and York County teacher Sam Eure, I was unsuccessful in reaching him or anyone with his campaign. In the past couple of days he and I have played phone tag.

However, the comments on transportation as posted on Eure’s website are as follows:

“Our rapidly decaying transportation infrastructure will soon impede our ability to recruit and retain commercial development in the state. The steady increase in commuting time will negatively affect the productivity of our citizens and our quality of life. Systems in place to safely and expeditiously move our citizens in the event of a natural disaster are vital. And the solution to our transportation problems is connected to the flow of funding brought in to correct them.”

UPDATE: I connected with candidate Eure on the phone.
He, like his opponents believes the “HRBT is extremely important. We need to look at ways to reduce traffic on HRBT.” Eure said he wants Virginia to find ways to get container traffic off of HRBT and Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel.

On funding transportation solutions Eure said, “Let’s go through a zero-based funding plan at every agency in Virginia, instead of automatically giving agencies the same amount of money or an increase from the year before. An agency may not need the same level of funding. We could find some savings there. Then I’d look at implementing tolls and increasing fees for licensing and registration. That way the people using the system are paying for it.”
As a last resort, Eure told me he’s willing to look at a one to three cent gasoline tax increase. He says, “I know taxes are something everyone is trying to avoid, but when you do that you’re going into battle hamstringing yourself. It’s like tying an arm behind your back. You need to have revenue and efficiencies to deal with this situation.”

How many of you are wishing right now you didn’t have to depend on a tunnel to get out of town?

And, quite honestly, this morning’s mess (that has stretched into this afternoon) has affected people who didn’t even need to go in the direction of the Peninsula.

Feel free to vent, by the way.

The job was already busy this morning.  Last night’s storm had caused problems at the James River Bridge.  The JRB was running smoothly by showtime, though.  The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was another story.  I chatted with the Sergeant on duty who told me that a tractor trailer had overturned during the bad weather last night in the southbound lanes.  The driver was taken to the hospital, by the way.  The accident had a lasting effect on the roads, though.  Traffic could only travel in one direction at a time.  Not a big deal really at that time of the morning.  But folks who travel the C.B.B.T. that early in the morning don’t expect trouble, so we were hearing about delays between 15 and 30 minutes.

That cleared up.

Then, boom.

I was watching the WAVY Traffic Jamcams just after 6:30 a.m.  I just happened to look at the camera on the Norfolk side of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.  The Westbound lanes looked a little slow, which is unusual for this time of the morning.  I checked a feed that I get on traffic troubles in the area, and it said there were problems at the H.R.B.T.  Sure enough, I caught up with VDOT just as they stopped the Westbound I-64 lanes.  I was able to get it on the air at 6:37 a.m.

Unfortunately, those drivers waiting to make it through the tunnel were stuck–for quite a while.  We first thought the standing water in the tunnel would cause a delay of about thirty minutes.  Nope.

About 7:15 a.m. or so, we started seeing cars being detoured off the I-64 exits, to 1st View.  Those cars were then brought around through Norfolk streets and pushed to I-64 Eastbound to make their way to the Peninsula via the DOWNTOWN TUNNEL, then the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel.  We were told then the Westbound tube would be closed for awhile.

Madness.

So, BIG, BIG problems for people heading to the Peninsula (I bet flights got missed at the Newport News airport), then those folks who were expecting to encounter normal Downtown Tunnel traffic were hit with a double dose (there were a couple of accidents as well throughout the morning I-264 Westbound).  Then, wait, there’s more.  I-664 Northbound at the Monitor Merrimac looks like a parking lot.

I know some of you may be trying to get out of town, ahead of the Fourth of July travelers.  What an exercise in frustration!

So, this is what happened, according to VDOT. A water pump inside the Westbound tube malfunctioned, causing the traffic headed from the Southside to the Peninsula to come to a full stop.  We’re hearing word it may be related to the severe storm from last night that resulted in a power outage.  It may take several hours for the Westbound tube to be reopened.

Hopefully, it will be up and running later in the afternoon, for another frustrating ride home.